120 million euros for digital transformation
09 Dec 2025
Science Minister Timon Gremmels and Digital Minister Prof Dr Kristina Sinemus with representatives of Hesse's universities). Photo: HMWK.
Hesse's Science Minister Timon Gremmels, Digital Minister Prof Dr Kristina Sinemus and the Hessian universities have signed the Hessian Digital Pact for Universities 2026-2031 ("Digital Pact 2.0"). The Digital Pact 2.0 supplements the Hessian Higher Education Pact 2026-2031 and builds on the successes and experiences of the first Digital Pact from 2020 to 2025. Over the next six years, 120 million euros will flow to Hessian universities for the digital transformation.
Science Minister Timon Gremmels explains: "The Digital Pact 2.0 will provide Hessian universities with a reliable financial basis for central digitalisation projects in research, teaching, the arts and administration over the next six years. It builds on what has been achieved so far and contributes to continuing to provide universities with the best possible support in their digital transformation. By transferring €10 million a year to the universities' base budgets, it secures pass structures and creates the conditions for permanent employment relationships. In line with the coalition agreement, we are thus recognising the importance of digitisation as a new permanent task for Hessian universities."
Hesse's Digital Minister Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus: "The first digital pact has already given the universities a major boost in digitisation. With the second pact finalised today, the universities will also be able to react to future developments. All universities participating in the digital pact have a fibre optic connection, a rate of 100 percent."
"Digitisation is an important ongoing task for all universities. All core areas are affected: Teaching, research and administration. In this respect, we are pleased that the base budget of the Digital Pact gives every university planning security in financially challenging times. In view of the competition for IT specialists, we must remain competitive and offer long-term prospects," explains Prof Dr Karim Khakzar, spokesperson for the Hessian universities of applied research.